06-11-24 Announcement from the KBDB – international races 2025
The troubles regarding the international races 2025 continue...
Yesterday, 04/11/2024, a meeting took place at the initiative of the KBDB between the participating countries in the international races, the international partners, the Belgian organizers, and the transporters.
This meeting ended on a sour note as the Dutch federation left the meeting prematurely.
The KBDB still hopes that the Dutch enthusiasts can participate in the 7 international races.
Hopefully good news from the NPO after their members' meeting on 23 November 2024...
The KBDB has warm feelings for all international participants in the international races, including the Dutch enthusiasts.
To be continued...
The national chairman,
Pascal Bodengien.
NPO Discussion on international flights stopped
From the board table: Follow-up discussion on international flights without result
On Monday, November 4, a follow-up discussion took place regarding the international flights. While the NPO Board had prepared to discuss practical matters such as transport, the entry fees, and calculation methods, we were surprised with a new demand from the Belgian organizers concerning the number of races. On behalf of the organizers and by the French federation, the demand was put forth that Dutch participation is only possible in all 7 international races, and that the international game takes precedence over the national game. This effectively overruling the agreement between the KBDB and the NPO. The approach from especially the organizers was completely disrespectful to the NPO and indicates once again the power positions they occupy (read: self-interest) in relation to the national organizations. Due to this stance, a further meaningful dialogue on retaining 5 international races was not feasible. The NPO has indicated that it will be the members' council on November 23 that determines whether and under what conditions the Netherlands will participate in a certain number of international races.
The races Z25, Z26, Z27, Z28, and Z31 of the National Flight Program 2025 are National marathon races with morning release. Of course, the NPO Board still supports the line of international doubling on these races, and the basis for this is unaltered the agreement made with the KBDB Board. These agreements have been published in a joint press release from the KBDB and NPO.
After the cessation of the international activities by the ZLU, the NPO Board has eagerly sought a feasible and policy-compliant solution for the international game on the marathon races with morning release. The agreement between the KBDB and the NPO provides for this, although further agreements need to be made regarding the logistical process. The stance of the organizers and the French federation now puts the entire international game for Dutch enthusiasts at risk.
Of course, we are extremely disappointed in the outcome of the discussions.
We will discuss the situation with our sections.
Joint press release Future international fond races
There has been turmoil for quite some time regarding the international long-distance races 2025, following the cessation of activities by the ZLU, as an international partner of the Netherlands. However, the succession is ensured! The NPO (Dutch federation) will, as an international partner, facilitate the organization of international races in 2025.
On October 17, a highly constructive meeting took place between the NPO and the KBDB, taking into account the wishes, requests, and proposals of both parties. However, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the logistical and administrative procedures and processes. Further discussions are necessary.
Consensus has been reached on:
- Taking into account the national marathon program 2025 of the NPO and the desire to organize only 1 marathon race per weekend, except for the weekend of Barcelona, the Dutch pigeons will participate in the following international races: Pau, Agen, Barcelona, St. Vincent (Dax), and Perpignan
- The entry day for all international races in 2025 will remain identical to that in 2024, namely on Monday.
- The transport (pickups in the Netherlands and transit to the release location), care, and release of the Dutch pigeons in the international races will be handled by the NPO and their respective sections, with the main reason being that the NPO is responsible to the Dutch government (ministry and other authorities).
- The Dutch convoy will merge in Belgium with the convoys from other participating countries and depart from there to the release location. The Dutch pigeons will not be mixed with other pigeons, nor vice versa.
- For each race, a responsible person will be designated at the release location, in advance and in mutual consultation by the participating countries, from one of the participating countries, but he may not be a member of the organizing committee. This person will change for each race and will always come from a different country. He has no say in the release decision but will only communicate with the escorts regarding the cutting of the baskets and the release time.
- The release should take place at the earliest possible favorable release time, based on weather conditions.
- The pigeons participating in the international races must be released together by unanimous agreement between the different countries. If one country does NOT agree to release, then there will be NO release. The Belgian organizer has no say in this release decision. The chairman of the NSC of the KBDB no longer has veto rights. He will only communicate Belgium's position regarding release. These communications will take place via WhatsApp.
- The races are national contests with a mandatory international doubling. The international pool letter for 2024 can be used in 2025. Further agreements on the logistical process of this pool letter still need to be made, with no active role for either the KBDB or the NPO.
- The international result will be compiled by the Belgian judge/calculator, designated by the KBDB. Both the KBDB and the NPO will ensure that the electronic entry and arrival data are sent to the Belgian judge.
- The amount of financial compensation for international participation will be determined in the short term. The compensation should be reasonable and fair, covering the costs to be incurred.
- The neutralization times used for the international races 2025 will be examined by the participating countries, and a decision will be made in the coming weeks. Attention will also be given to the calculation method applied in the Netherlands for morning releases, namely NFO18. Both parties agree to avoid a situation where the use of a calculation method can create a difference in the winner (internationally versus nationally).
- Mandatory registration of all participating pigeons in the international race, as stipulated in Article 101 of the NSR. For national contests, the regulations established by the participating countries apply.
- In consultation with all international partners, an attempt will be made to implement international criteria for road transport.
- The NPO must make the reservation of approval by the Members’ Council of the NPO.
- At the end of the 2025 season, an evaluation will take place of the agreements made.
A meeting with the participating federations in the international races 2025 and the international partners will be scheduled soon.
Draft National Flying Program 2025
Explanation
The Sprint includes the races V16, V17, V18, V22, V24, and V26.
The Middle distance includes the races M19, M20, M21, M23, M25, and M27.
The Long distance includes the races E22, E24, E26, E28, and E30.
The Young pigeons include the races J28, J29, J30, J31, J32, F33, F34, F35, and F36.
The Marathon includes the races A23, A24, A27, A29, A30, Z25, Z26, Z27, Z28, and Z31.
In 2025 there will be 10 National races with National release;
E28- Issoudun E30 – Issoudun
A24-St Vincent A27 – Cahors A30 – Bergerac
Z25 – Pau Z26 - Agen/Bordeaux Z27 - Barcelona
Z28 – Dax Z31 – Perpignan
National races must be entered in a National Entry Center (NIC). Entry will take place in NICs designated by the sections. Not every NIC needs to enter all national races. Coordination on where which races can be entered is left to the sections.
For all national races, basket lists are mandatory, and it is mandatory to report the first arriving pigeon according to the method designated by the NPO.
The National Release Committee releases the pigeons at all national races.
There are Sector releases for the races E26, A23, and A29, which are released by the sections in mutual consultation.
The Marathon races A23, A24, A27, A29, and A30 are races with afternoon release. In an afternoon release, the pigeons are released around noon, taking into account the weather conditions and applicable regulations from the Risk Table for Releases. In case of exceptional weather conditions, the National Release Committee can deviate from this in consultation with the NPO Board.
The Marathon races Z25, Z26, Z27, Z28, and Z31 are races with morning release. In a morning release, the pigeons are released as early as possible, considering the weather conditions and the applicable regulations from the Risk Table for Releases. The release will be coordinated with the other participating countries in the international game so that all participating countries can release together. All Dutch pigeons in these races automatically participate in the international contest.
For the National and Sector results of afternoon releases, the calculation method NF14 applies, and the NPO neutralization time is applicable.
For the National results of races with morning release, the calculation method NFO18 applies, and the international neutralization time regulation is applicable.
There will be a maximum participation limit per pigeon for the marathon. A pigeon may participate in a maximum of 4 marathon races per season. This will be monitored in the NPO Cloud. If this rule is violated, all pigeons from the enthusiast will be removed from the relevant result.
A pigeon must rest for at least 2 weeks between marathon races in which it participates. For example; if a pigeon is raced in week 28 in the marathon, the same pigeon may race again in week 30. The pigeon may not be raced in the intervening week. This will be monitored in the NPO Cloud. If this rule is violated, all pigeons from the enthusiast will be removed from the relevant result.
In 2024, there will be 10 Grand Prix races; M23, M25, E28, E30, A24, A30, Z26, Z28, F34, and F36.
Old pigeons may be raced in the J and F races, and race results may be made from those old pigeons. These results do not count for any championship or competition.
Only the races from the National Flying Program in the categories of Sprint, Middle distance, Long distance, Marathon, Young, and Natour count for the Olympics and WBP competitions.
Distance limits per category on the minimum distance per Section/Sector for calculating the National Championships.
• Sprint 100 to 350 kilometers
• Middle distance 300 to 500 kilometers
• Long distance 500 to 750 kilometers
• Marathon from 700 kilometers
• Young pigeons minimum distance 100 kilometers and maximum distance considering the release points mentioned in the NPO Racing Regulations.
A margin of 5% applies to the mentioned distances.
For the races V16, M19, M20, J28, and J29, the indicated distances are minimum distances with a margin of 5%. For other distances, these are indicative and according to the section and/or flight area.
The NPO Board
Version: October 17, 2024